Theory question 104
Parables of JesusSection B (Themes from the Four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles)
Relate the parable of The Wheat and The Tares and give its interpretation. How is this parable applicable to the Church today?
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A man sowed good seed in his field, but while men slept his enemy sowed weeds among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-25).
When the plants came up, the weeds appeared too (Matthew 13:26).
The servants asked the householder where the weeds came from; he said an enemy had done it (Matthew 13:27-28).
They offered to gather the weeds, but he said no, lest they uproot the wheat with them (Matthew 13:28-29).
Let both grow together until the harvest; then reapers will gather the weeds to burn and the wheat into the barn (Matthew 13:30).
Interpretation: the sower is the Son of man; the field is the world; good seed are sons of the kingdom; weeds are sons of the evil one; the enemy is the devil; the harvest is the close of the age; the reapers are angels (Matthew 13:37-39).
At the end evildoers will be thrown into the furnace of fire, and the righteous will shine like the sun (Matthew 13:40-43).
Application: good and bad people are found in the church; judgement belongs to God; church members should be patient and not judge harshly; Christians must examine themselves and live right; there will be final reward and punishment.
Tell the parable, give Jesus' own interpretation, then application.